Commenter Jackie shared some uplifting information about a Republican – U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales from TX-23, who is apparently leaving Squeaker and the TX republican party with a bad case of heartburn. She also mentioned a U.S. Representative from FL-27, who is pushing back against anti-immigration rhetoric in the House. Both are Latino members of the House.
As more Latinos are elected, I am looking forward to seeing their impact.
Comment from Jackie:
”Republican U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, who represents West Texas regions from Monahans to El Paso and to San Antonio, was censured Saturday in a rare move by his state party over votes that included supporting new gun safety laws after the Uvalde school shooting in his district.
The Republican Party of Texas voted 57-5 with one abstention, underlining how the two-term congressman’s willingness to break with conservatives on key issues during his short time in office has caused GOP activists and some colleagues to bristle.
That independent streak includes opposing a sweeping House GOP immigration proposal over the U.S.-Mexico border, which includes a large portion of his South Texas district. He has also voted to defend same-sex marriage and was an outright “no” against a House rules package after Republican leader Kevin McCarthy became speaker.”
Second comment from Jackie:
“Rep. Tony Gonzales’ Republican colleague from Florida, Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, has also decried the anti-immigration rhetoric Republicans have used as they champion that bill from Rep. Chip Roy of Texas. In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Salazar said, “We understand that immigrants want to come and live in the promised land.” Referring to her Miami-area district, Salazar said, “Orderly legal immigration is good for the country and good for District 27.”
“Roy has called the two members’ concerns about his bill “absurd,” but with Republicans holding such a slim majority in the House, the pushback from these two Latino members is significant. The question is whether Gonzales and Salazar will stick to their principles or fold.
*That pressure to fold will clearly come from Roy and other MAGA Republicans who appear to believe Latino Republicans lack real power and are not to be taken seriously. Republicans like to use the elections of representatives such as Gonzales and Salazar to brag about the party’s diversity, but Roy’s insulting dismissal of their concerns suggests that Republicans don’t intend to actually listen to those Latino members.
But give Gonzales and Salazar credit for trying to fight back within their own party.”
*Gee, that’s not insulting at all. Dear Latino Republicans, come on over to the big tent party.
At least there are a couple of Republican representative in the House who aren’t rolling over on everything. It seems that all the Rs in the House that only voted for the Squeaker on vote #15 got all the horrible things they wanted, so they are keeping their mouths shut for now.
Open thread.
U.S. Representatives Gonzales (TX-23) & Salazar (FL-27)Post + Comments (59)
